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The tug gets stronger; I pull back in resistance. “Penny, did you do it?”
“Yes.”
“Does it hold your weight? Do you notice anything?”
“It’s holding me.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. Put your entire weight on the rope.”
There’s a pause.
“Liam…”
“Penny, you are not going to fall. I won’t let you. Do you trust me?”
“With my life,” she responds immediately.
“Good. Because your life is in my hands now. Let go of the branch.”
She doesn’t speak for a moment; finally, her shaky voice reaches me again. “Okay.”
I start to move back, pulling the rope with me. “Remember to find stone ledges with your feet while you climb back up to support yourself and reduce the weight on the rope,” I say more to calm myself than to coach Penny.
“Got it.”
“You’re doing great, Penny. One step at a time.”
“Okay.”
Penny knows how to do this. Her dad taught us, and when he was gone, we continued learning—with professionals and then on our own.
“Still climbing?”
“Yes.”
“Good, you should be almost to the top.” I step back, pulling the rope. I should see the top of her head in another few moments.
“Are you okay, Penny?” I ask, wanting to keep her focused on me.
“Yes.” She sounds out of breath, and panic swirls in my belly. Being out of breath is dangerous in situations like this.
“Penny?” I call. “I know you’re tired, but you just have to focus.”
“It’s so hard.” Her words end on a sob. Then she releases a breath. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I encourage her. “I understand how you feel. But you’ve done this before, maybe not in a bit, but you have done this. You’ve got to overcome the fear and fatigue. It’s that or falling down the cliff. I’m sure you don’t want that.”
“Heck, no.”
I almost laugh but swallow it down. “That’s my girl. Now keep climbing.”
“Okay.” I feel the tug on the other end of the rope as she tugs again. Good.
Without warning, the ropes start to snap and thin. My eyes widen, and I pray to God to help. I cannot lose Penny. If she falls, I’m falling with her.
“There are no more stone ledges to support my feet.” Her voice breaks. “I’m not sure this rope can support my weight anymore.”
“I won’t let you fall. Okay?”
